Illuminated sign.



F.' N. POULALION.

ILLUMINATED SIGN. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 27, |914.

latened May 11, 1915.

Speeieation of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 27,131.4. Serial 1Y0. 8227,635.

T all whom 'it may] concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK N. PoULALioN, a citizen of the United States, residing in Des Moines, in the county of Polk and State 5 or Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Illuminated Signs, of which the following is a speciiication.

This invention relates to signs of the class adapted for use both b'y day and at night and particularly to signs of this class in which part ot' the sign is permanently illuminated at night while another part is alternately lighted and extinguished for the purpose of more certainly attracting the attention of the passers-by,

In carrying out my invention, I provide L a. casing equipped with means for suspend-4 ing it from a suitable support, and on opposite sides of this casing I arrange signs, parts of which are transparent or translucent to permit the passage of light from electric lamps 0r other illuminating means within the casing. In the upper part of the casing I arrange signs which are pernianently visible either by day or by night and below the permanent signs I mount other signs which likewise have transparent or translucent parts but which are at'tiines closed to the passage of light through them by covers arranged within the casing. These covers are provided Vith reflecting surfaces so arrangedA that when they are withdrawn from the signs which they at times cover light may be reflected through B5 the signs. The covers are preferably alternately opened and closed at short intervals by motor devices'located between them.

In the accompanying drawing.: Figure 40 1 shows a front elevation of a sign embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 shows a vertical section thereof with the covers of the lower signs closed. Fig. 3 shows a vertical section with the covers open. Fig. i is a detail view of part of the upper sign. Fig. 5 shows a section on the line 5--5 of The sign shown has a casing; or frame A constructed of any suitable material and is preferably zriveli a rectangular form or shape, as illustrated. It may be supported or suspended in any suitable way as by means of hangers B, dependingfrom a horizontally arranged rod C. The upper portion of the sign has on opposite sides sign plates D having transparent or translucent designs, letters or characters al, and between such sign plates are located a suitable number of electric lamps or other illuminating devices E. The designs, letters or characters d may be formed in various ways but preferably in the manner indicated in Figs. 4 and 5 where glass 'lenses d are shown set inv suitable frames. The upper signs just described are visible and perfectly plain during the without the use et' lights between them and at night are permanent-ly illuminated. Below the upper nermanent signs are arranged the intermittently. visible signs F which are disposed on opposite sides of the casing and are provided with transparent characters, designs or letters f which when exposed to the rays of light from the lamps E are plainly visible.

H, I-I indicate covers `for the signs I?. These are made of any suitable material but a are provided with reflecting surfaces on. their outer sides. The covers are hinged at their lower ends it, it and when erect, as shown in Fig'. shui'I oli' the passage of rays ol light from the lamps through the signs, but when the eovers are swungl on their hinges and moved to the position shown in Fig. light is transmitted through the siens, being' reflected iron'i outer euriaces of the covers and thus made most brilliant. The attention passers-by is apt to he more certainly attracted the signs or parts thereof are intermittently displaved and withdrawn and in order to do this I provide mean-'i ier opening and sa: @103mg the covers at siert iiitervals. e covers may scheld unsimoor t occupy shown in Figi. El hut I preis spring" to hold the covers position shown in 3l. In ori, them 'to their closed` position cani I attached to a rod, or sv ait earfjji g a pulley t, connected by a belt J such an electric .motor i nioveiient be given the moto will slowlv revolved and tl be moved alternatelv to onen and sition, and this causes the signs ternately displayed and withdrawn view.,

fi sign made in accordance with ray invention niav he constructed at small cost; it does not involvt` the useI or" switch mechanism incident to signs oit this class, and vetit performs the Afuinztions for which it is intended with accuracy and economy. IThe "s my nvenon:

a oaslong, sign plaies I l plaies having a space between wenn .im eougeed; cam mounted to oae in Said space between tle covers drecty engaging the covers ao at times olng them in closed. position, means for 15 roatng said com and a spring for moving the Covers to ope position when released by the com.

A In testimony Wh/resi subscribed .my name.

. FRANK N. POULLION. /Vtnessesz ED. MOELLER, SAAG PE'IERSBERGER.

have hereunto 

